Little River Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Summer is starting to wind down and that means we’re looking forward to Fall fishing in the Smokies. It also means it’s time to start getting serious about our LRCTU 2024 Annual Fundraiser Auction. Harry Fetterman has graciously agreed to be the coordinator for this year’s on-line auction which will be held from November 23 thru December 08. Last year’s auction was our most successful on-line auction and raised almost $10,000 in support of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) Fisheries Department. You may think that is a difficult number to beat; however, we have already received items for this year’s auction valued at over $6,500. There will be more details in the September newsletter regarding the auction, but in the interim, be thinking about items you may be willing to donate to the auction.

Based on data from the Trout Unlimited Annual Report, the Little River Chapter contributed almost three (3) times more volunteer hours than the average TU Chapter in FY2024. This is validation our Chapter is serious about our mission to support local conservations efforts and youth education. Our work as volunteers in GSMNP with the Fisheries Department is going to be included in a documentary sponsored by the National Park Service and produced by the University of Central Florida. Thanks to each of you for your dedication and hard work supporting our mission.

Trout Unlimited is offering a free one-year trial membership to anyone who has not previously been a TU member. Please share this link (tu.org/TU65Trial) with anyone you think may be interested in this offer and remind them to refer to Chapter 644 (Little River Chapter) on the registration form. Cody Fischer, owner and guide, with Tellico Outfitters will be the featured speaker at the August 22 Chapter Meeting. Cody and Tellico Outfitters are strong advocates for Trout Unlimited and contribute to our annual auction and provide volunteers to the John Thurman Smoky Mountain Trout Adventure Camp at Tremont. Please support Cody with your attendance and arrive early so you will have an opportunity to visit with other Chapter members and talk fishing.

Bob Bishop
President

August Newsletter

Thank you to the nineteen (19) volunteers who supported the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) Fisheries team with brook trout monitoring and index of biotic (IBI) surveys this summer.  It was encouraging to see several volunteers participating in these events for the first time.  Two days were spent counting and taking fin clips from brook trout on Anthony Creek and IBIs were conducted on Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River at Greenbrier and Little River above Elkmont.   At least fourteen (14) unique fish species were identified during the Little Pigeon River IBI.  

GSMNP Fisheries personnel and Smoky Mountain Chapter TU members will be joining us for the Little River Chapter Picnic on Thursday, July 25 at River Johns Outfitters in Maryville.  Additional details are provided further in the newsletter.  This is a great time to visit with other TU members and to show appreciation to GSMNP fisheries personnel for the outstanding work they do in the national park.

Bob Bishop
President

It’s fishing time in the Smokies as our members who fished Norton Creek this past Saturday can attest. The article later in this newsletter highlights the attributes of a trip to Norton Creek. Speaking of fishing, please consider booking a trip with one of the local guides listed below who have supported the Little River Chapter through contributions to our annual fundraiser auction.

Tellico Outfitters – https://www.tellicooutfitters.com
Headwaters Outfitters – https://headwatersoutfitters.com
R & R Fly Fishing – https://randrflyfishing.com
Richard Witt Fly Fishing – https://www.richardwittflyfishing.com
Trout Zone Anglers – https://troutzoneanglers.com

Gary Pickens and Harry Fetterman recently completed an update to our Chapter website. If you haven’t looked at the website in a while, now would be a good time to check it out. A picture gallery is being added to the website later this summer to showcase photos of members fishing or participating in various Chapter activities. Start saving photos you would like to share with the Chapter. You can also send them to Dan Spradlin (danielspradlin93@gmail.com) who manages our Instagram account.

Congratulations to the Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) Stream Barrier Survey team volunteers who recently completed Phase II of this project. These volunteers completed surveys of over 250 stream crossings which could be potential barriers to aquatic organism passage in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). See more information in the Stream Barrier Survey section.

Now that the AOP surveys are complete, Bernie Maloy will be transitioning into the role of Tennessee Fisheries Coordinator for GSMNP and Kim Emery will assume the role of Little River Chapter Director of Volunteer Operations. Bernie will be responsible for coordination with GSMNP Fisheries Group leadership to ensure projects are properly staffed with volunteers and respond to all volunteer requests regarding opportunities with the Fisheries Group. Kim will be a single point-of-contact for members who are interested in becoming involved with volunteer opportunities, ensure frequent and clear communication with all volunteers and volunteer coordinators, and be a back-up for the volunteer coordinators. Feel free to contact any of the volunteer coordinators listed below if you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities.

Tennessee GSMNP Fisheries – Bernie Maloy (52bazzman@gmail.com)
Trout in the Classroom – Kim Emery (kim@topshelfedu.com)
Pistol Creek Clean-Up – Ernie Frey (ernest.frey@comcast.net)
AOP Barrier Surveys – Bernie Maloy (52bazzman@gmail.com)
Norton Creek Projects – Daniel Spradlin (danielspradlin93@gmail.com)

It is a privilege to host Dr. Bernie Kuhajda, PhD from the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute as the featured speaker at the June 27 Chapter Meeting. Try and arrive early so you will have an opportunity to visit with other Chapter members, and it is a great time to talk fishing.

Bob Bishop
President

June 2024 Newsletter